e000977315

Appendix I

i-270
August 16th 1918

12th Canadian Inf.Brigade.

Reference B.M. 57.

NARRATIVE OF PART TAKEN BY 38TH CANADIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
IN THE ATTACKS OF AUGUST 8TH to 13TH, 1918, IN THE THIRD
BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

The 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion marched
with the balance of the 18th Brigade from BOVES WOOD at 9.00
p.m. the 7th of August, and positions which had been reconnoit
red during the day were occupied, the Battalion being behind t
Cemetery, West of the Village of GENTELLES and bivouaced in whe
fields. At Zero hour, 4.20 a.m., our barrage opened and the
Battalion formed up preparatory to moving off and final instruc
tions were given to Company Commanders. At 5.20 a.m., Zero
plus 60 minutes, the Brigade moved from their position of assem
ly, the 38th Battalion being the left leading Battalion. Owing
to there being no enemy barrage, Companies moved in file and
advanced in this formation in rear of the 3rd Division, crossing
the River LUCE at DEMUIN and proceeding to the Assembly position
for the afternoon advance on the rising ground East of DEMUIN.
The advance during the monring had been carried otu without
opposition and the Battalion suffered only a few slight casualti
from shells. Orders were received from Brigade at 11.30 a.m.
that the second phase of the attack would commence at 12.10
p.m. and before Zero large bodies of Cavalry assisted by
Whippet Tanks proceded us and practically cleared our area of
advance until we arrived in the vicinity of CAYEUX WOOD where
long range machine gun fire was encountered from the right
flank, and was taken on with Lewis Guns and rifles. As no
serious opposition had been encountered at our first objective
the leading companies proceeded to our final objective running
from 4.8.c.50.50 to 4.2.a.50.00 being about 1000 yards West
of the Village of CAIX. The two Support Companies and
Battalion Headquarters remained in the vicinity of CAYEUX WOOD.
There was still some hostile fire from machine guns on our
right lank, but this was not of a serious nature. The above
positions were held during the night of the 8th/9th and the
period of daylight of the 9th. In the evening our two advanced
Companies were withdrawn from the outskirts of CAIX and bivouaced
in CAYEUX WOOD. At midnight a warning order was received of a
probable advance the following day, confirmed by a order at 3.
a.m. stating the Battalion would move at 5.00 a.m. to the high
ground between CAIX and the AMIENS-NESTLE Railway, North of this
Village. When the Assembly was completed in this area, the
Brigade moved forward to the Western outskirts of the Village of
ROSIERES and there awaited Zero hour, the O.C's, the various
Battalions of the Brigade proceeding to the Advanced Brigade HeadQ
quarters. The dispositions for the afternoon attack of the
Brigade was 72nd and 85th Battalions leading and 78th and 38th